Oral Cancer Screenings Play an Important Role in Every Dental Checkup

Posted September 19, 2017.

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Oral health conditions that affect the teeth, gums, and other oral health tissues can cause significant discomfort and have a negative impact on your quality of life. If they are allowed to progress the treatment success rate can start to drop significantly. This is especially true for cancers that affect the throat and mouth.

So, it’s important to let Dr. Tontra Lowe, DDS know about any of your increased risk factors for oral and pharyngeal cancer, during your routine dental checkup. This includes things such as a family history of oral cancers, regular tobacco use, or excessive alcohol consumption. These risk factors can contribute to the early development of oral cancers.

Early symptoms of oral or pharyngeal cancer might include a persistent pain in your mouth, which could also be associated with swelling, or a lump in your cheek. Pharyngeal cancer symptoms also include a persistent sore throat, or a feeling like something is stuck in the back of your mouth.

Dr. Tontra Lowe, DDS can typically perform an oral and pharyngeal cancer at the end of your dental checkup. This includes a quick inspection of your tongue, throat, face, and neck for any swelling or abnormal discoloration. If she has any concerns, Dr. Tontra Lowe, DDS will likely refer you to an oncologist to confirm the diagnosis and help you understand the treatment process.

If you live in the Haymarket, Virginia, area and you have oral or pharyngeal cancer concerns, you should call 571-261-2600 to schedule a dental checkup at Awesome Smiles Dental Center.